His first album, A Whisper and a Sigh was recorded during the summer of 2002. He won the cqfd prize in 2003, rewarding the best french revelation. After this album was released, he constructed a new four piece band. In April 2005 he released his second album Someday We will Foresee Obstacles. It is a mixture of folk and of melancholic pop, his music combines slow melodys with acoustic instruments, it does not however forget its roots of electronic music.
Perhaps one of his most popular American songs is "To All Of You" which was featured in the senior prom episode of the FOX teenage drama the O.C.
His third album, 'Ghost Days', was released on 18 January 2008.
Black & White Eyes
Syd Matters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And she's doing well so far
She is working to earn her own dollar
‘Cause the fortune teller didn't talk about stars
CHORUS
She has black and white eyes
A mind full of vintage squibs
A mind full of cheering lives
She needs something
To keep her feet on the ground
‘Cause when she's flying around
She never wants to come back down
She lost her smile in '95
When she woke up on the back seat of a studded car
CHORUS
'think I lost her at 24
When she started to lock herself up behind the bathroom door
All along the white line
She can travel back in time
All along the white line
(X2)
I'm on my way looking up today
Never mind if it could be worthing
Tuesday flies away
Syd Matters's song Black & White Eyes tells the story of a woman who works as a stripper in a topless bar to make a living. Despite the nature of her job, she is successful and working hard to earn her own money. The woman does not rely on anyone else to support her, as the fortune teller did not speak about stars. The stars in this context likely refer to a prediction of prosperity or fortune. Instead, she is determined to earn her own money and stand in her own two feet.
The chorus of the song sung twice throughout the music describes the state of the woman's condition. She has black and white eyes, which could suggest that she may see things in shades of grey rather than black and white. This condition could be emotional or psychological, indicating that her mind is full of vintage squibs or unexploded fireworks. This statement portrays the woman as someone with a complicated past, perhaps having experienced an emotional breakdown or trauma. These experiences changed her, and she carries the weight of these memories with her always. Despite this, she also has a mind full of cheering lives, suggesting that she has a positive outlook on life.
The second verse reveals that the woman lost her smile in '95 when she woke up in the back seat of a studded car. This event could be interpreted in many different ways, but the lyrics imply something potentially traumatic. It highlights that the woman has been through hard times in the past and possibly struggled with her mental or emotional health. The final verse talks about how the woman locked herself up behind the bathroom door. This line implies that her traumatic event may have led her to isolation and depression, taking comfort in withdrawing from the world.
Overall, the lyrics of Black & White Eyes touch on themes of survival, resilience and the complexities of life. The woman in the song represents the grit and determination required to overcome the challenges that life brings.
Line by Line Meaning
She's been dancing in a topless bar
She is working as a dancer in a strip club.
And she's doing well so far
She is successful in her career so far.
She is working to earn her own dollar
She is motivated to make her own money.
‘Cause the fortune teller didn't talk about stars
She is not relying on fate or destiny to help her succeed.
She has black and white eyes
Her eyes have a striking black and white coloration.
A mind full of vintage squibs
She has a unique and unconventional thought process.
A mind full of cheering lives
Her thoughts are full of vibrant and positive energy.
She needs something
She requires something specific to feel grounded.
To keep her feet on the ground
She needs to stay focused and level-headed.
‘Cause when she's flying around
She becomes impulsive and carefree.
She never wants to come back down
She enjoys living in the moment and taking risks.
She lost her smile in '95
She experienced a traumatic event in 1995 that changed her.
When she woke up on the back seat of a studded car
This traumatic event involved waking up in a car after a wild night.
Think I lost her at 24
He believes she changed significantly at the age of 24.
When she started to lock herself up behind the bathroom door
She began to exhibit reclusive behavior and withdrew from others.
All along the white line
She has the ability to revisit the past.
She can travel back in time
She has the power to revisit past memories or experiences.
I'm on my way looking up today
He is currently feeling optimistic about the future.
Never mind if it could be worthing
He doesn't mind the potential risk of chasing a dream.
Tuesday flies away
Time passes quickly and opportunities can be lost quickly as well.
Contributed by Sadie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
sinkanesle
She's been dancing in a topless bar
And she's doing well so far
She is working to earn her own dollar
Cause the fortune teller didn't talk about stars
[Chorus:]
She has black and white eyes
A mind full of vintage squibs
She has black and white eyes
A mind full of cheering lives
She needs something
To keep her feet on the ground
Cause when she's flying around
She never wants to come back down
She lost her smile in '95
When she woke up on the back seat of a studded car
[Chorus]
'think I lost her at 24
When she started to lock herself up behind the bathroom door
All along the white line
She can travel back in time
All along the white line
[x2]
I'm on my way looking up today
Never mind if it could be worthing
Tuesday flies away
Thomas Dap
Most underrated band ever
Diegu
It's amazing how they managed to hide such a dark story behind this cheerful music O_O
sinkanesle
She's been dancing in a topless bar
And she's doing well so far
She is working to earn her own dollar
Cause the fortune teller didn't talk about stars
[Chorus:]
She has black and white eyes
A mind full of vintage squibs
She has black and white eyes
A mind full of cheering lives
She needs something
To keep her feet on the ground
Cause when she's flying around
She never wants to come back down
She lost her smile in '95
When she woke up on the back seat of a studded car
[Chorus]
'think I lost her at 24
When she started to lock herself up behind the bathroom door
All along the white line
She can travel back in time
All along the white line
[x2]
I'm on my way looking up today
Never mind if it could be worthing
Tuesday flies away
sinkanesle
@Saul Ramos maybe idk, I copy pasted this ages ago
Saul Ramos
Topless? It's not Top Place?
Jack King
Bill Bumbleton I thought it was "vintage scars"
Bill Bumbleton
Chorus correction:
A mind full of vintage skies
A mouth full of jeering lies.
Ending correction:
Never mind if it could be worse
Until they fly away
These make a lot more sense.
Jacodaify
sinkanesle oh i always hear it as "ima fool of" it makes alot more sense now lol.
Summer is not here
This song is so strangely beautiful but sad. I remember I used to listen to this when I was at such an odd time in my life and I never really understood it. Now I understand it, it just makes my heart heavy.
zahir hashim
This song got an atmosphere that will engulf you everytime you hear it,amazing